May long-weekend tradition in Canada: Celebrating Croatian folklore
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
(Photo Credit: Croatian National Home)
The Canadian Croatian Folklore Federation (East) was excited to return to its traditional festival format May 19 – 21, 2023 with the 49th annual Canadian Croatian Folklore Festival.
This year’s host group, the Croatian National Home in Hamilton, welcomed 17 folklore and tambura groups from eastern Canada, as well as two groups from the USA, for an entertaining and joyful weekend of Croatian culture.
Hundreds of performers delighted friends of Croatian folklore with two sold out afternoons of performances showcasing the diversity and wealth of various folk dances, songs, customs, traditional musical instruments and folk costumes.
In addition to the performances, an integral part of the festivities was the beautiful Holy Mass led by the pastor of Holy Cross RC Church in Hamilton, Rev. Marko Štefanec. Both parishioners and attendees were encouraged by the thoughtful message in his homily. A sit down dinner was also a part of the weekend festivities where performers along with family and friends got a chance to get together to socialize outside of the performances.
(Photo Credit: Fr. Marko Stefanac, Holy Cross Croatian Church in Hamilton)
It was a special honour for the guests, performers and organizers to hear the inspirational address given by the Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Mississauga, Mr. Ante Jović, whose kind words, participation and unwavering support are invaluable to the Federation.
Many of the performers appeared on the festival stage for their very first time and a number of them are second, third and even fourth generation Canadian Croatians. Maintaining these folklore traditions in Canada is of significant importance, instilling a sense of unity, identity and responsibility.
(Photo Credit: Croatian Consulate General – Generalni konzulat RH u Mississaugi)
Local Hamilton representatives who joined the event and shared greetings on behalf of their respective governments: Mayor Andrea Horwath, MP Chad Collins and MPP Donna Skelly.
Thank you to all the participants in this year 49th annual festival! We invite you to join us next year for the jubilee 50th anniversary of the Croatian-Canadian folklore festival. Uz predanost svih nas, naša tradicija nastavit će živjeti još dugo i uspješno!,” organizers said.
(Photo Credit: Croatian Consulate General – Generalni konzulat RH u Mississaugi)
The Croatian National Home in Hamilton is the oldest Croatian organization in Canada, celebrating its 95th anniversary.
The Canadian Croatian Folklore Federation (Hrvatsko-kanadski folklorni Savez) is an umbrella organization consisting of 17 member ensembles from across eastern Canada. Founded in 1973, the Federation’s mandate is to promote Croatian folklore in Canada.
(Photo Credit: Croatian Consulate General – Generalni konzulat RH u Mississaugi)
It accomplishes this by organizing festivals, sponsoring workshops for teachers of Croatian music and dance, and publishing teaching materials for students and teachers of Croatian folklore. hkfsavez.com
